YouTube is developing a new feature to help users manage their time spent watching Shorts, with code in the latest app beta indicating the introduction of a dedicated daily timer.
YouTube could soon allow users to set a daily timer for watching Shorts, according to code found in the latest YouTube app beta (version 20.15.32). The feature is expected to enable users to set a timer for minutes or hours depending on their consumption preference. This development suggests that Google is recognizing the potential negative impacts of excessive Shorts consumption.
The timer specifically pauses the infinite scrolling functionality of Shorts after a user-defined daily limit is reached. According to the code strings, the new Shorts timer is designed to pause infinite scrolling through Shorts once the daily limit is reached. The code shows a title for the timer setting: “Pause scrolling after,” and a summary that explains the functionality, stating that “Scrolling is paused after” a specified number of minutes or hours, “but you may still see individual Shorts.”
Individual Shorts that appear outside the Shorts feed, such as in the Home feed or search results, will remain viewable even after the timer expires. The code text confirms that YouTube won’t block Shorts watching entirely, allowing users to still view individual Shorts that appear elsewhere on the platform.
YouTube Shorts has become extremely popular, generating over 70 billion daily views, according to Google. The platform has aggressively pushed Shorts, rolling out easy-to-use tools that make creating content effortless. However, short-form video platforms are associated with issues like distraction, poor time management, and reduced learning capacity due to the addictive nature of “doomscrolling.”
As the owner of YouTube, Google is recognizing the potential negative impacts of excessive Shorts consumption. The new feature is part of an effort to help users manage their time spent watching Shorts. An APK teardown of the YouTube app has revealed that Google is working on this new feature aimed at helping users manage their time spent watching YouTube Shorts.
The latest beta includes fresh strings detailing a dedicated daily timer for Shorts scrolling, separate from the existing “Take a break” reminder that applies to general video watching. It’s unclear when this feature will roll out widely, but its presence in the beta version suggests that YouTube is actively testing the functionality.
